duck and goose zone · Iowa Department of Natural Resources
North Zone
Iowa, United States
The map opens on this unit. Turn on Hunting units in Layers to see its boundary with public land, your pins and the forecast.
About North Zone
North Zone is a duck and goose zone in Iowa, United States, set by Iowa Department of Natural Resources. It covers about 51,789 km² (19,996 mi²). Towns inside it include Sioux City, Waterloo, Dubuque, Cedar Falls, Mason City and Fort Dodge.
HuntGrid draws its boundary from Iowa Department of Natural Resources's data for the 2026 season. The agency uses this unit system for waterfowl.
- Unit code
- North
- Area
- 51,789 km²
- Area (miles)
- 19,996 mi²
- Boundaries
- 2026
Public and protected land mapped inside it
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 1,129 km² of public or protected land inside it, 2% of the unit. Some protected land is privately owned (a conservation group's, for one). By manager, as the source names it:
| Manager | km² | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DNR - Wildlife | 437 | under 1% |
| Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife And Fish Refuge | 68 | under 1% |
| UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE AND FISH REFUGE | 68 | under 1% |
| DNR - Parks | 58 | under 1% |
| DNR - Fisheries | 51 | under 1% |
| DNR - Forestry | 37 | under 1% |
| Dickinson County Waterfowl Production Area | 27 | under 1% |
| DICKINSON COUNTY WATERFOWL PRODUCTION AREA | 26 | under 1% |
| Other or unnamed managers | 542 | 1% |
Boundaries are approximate and aren't legal descriptions. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there: check your local regulations and posted signs.
Public land: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1
Seasons and regulations
Seasons for this unit that a person has checked against Iowa Department of Natural Resources's regulations:
| Species | Dates | Details |
|---|---|---|
| American black duck | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| American coot | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| American wigeon | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Barrow's goldeneye | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Black scoter | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Blue-winged teal | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Brant (brent goose) | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Bufflehead | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Cackling goose | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Canada goose | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Canvasback | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Cinnamon teal | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Common goldeneye | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Common merganser | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Gadwall | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Green-winged teal | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Harlequin duck | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Hooded merganser | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| King eider | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Long-tailed duck | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Mallard | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Northern pintail | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Northern shoveler | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Red-breasted merganser | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Redhead | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Ring-necked duck | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Ross's goose | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Ruddy duck | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Snow goose | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Surf scoter | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Greater white-fronted goose | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| White-winged scoter | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Wood duck | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Greater scaup | Oct 19, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Lesser scaup | Oct 19, 2026 to Dec 8, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Brant (brent goose) | Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 9, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Cackling goose | Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 9, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Canada goose | Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 9, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Ross's goose | Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 9, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Snow goose | Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 9, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Greater white-fronted goose | Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 9, 2027 | shotgun source |
The official regulations have the final word: check them before you hunt.
Units around it
Next to it in the same unit system
Other hunting units that cover part of it
- Nonresident Zone 1 (nonresident deer zone)
- Bobcat counties, limit 1 (bobcat season county group)
- Nonresident Zone 2 (nonresident deer zone)
- Fall Turkey Zone 6
- Nonresident Spring Turkey Zone 6
- Nonresident Zone 7 (nonresident deer zone)
- Nonresident Spring Turkey Zone 8
- Fall Turkey Zone 8
- Fall Turkey Zone 9
- Nonresident Zone 9 (nonresident deer zone)
- Nonresident Zone 10 (nonresident deer zone)
- Zone A (resident deer zone)
- Zone B (resident deer zone)
- Ruffed grouse open area
What HuntGrid shows for North Zone
- Its boundary on the map; tap inside it for the unit's card with the agency's regulations link.
- Public land and the other hunting units in the same view, each with its source.
- Season dates once a person has checked them, and legal shooting hours where the rule is checked.
- Hourly wind with a scent cone for every stand, and official weather alerts.
- Offline maps: download the area and use the map, your pins and the forecast with no signal.
Questions
How big is North Zone (duck and goose zone)?
About 51,789 km² (19,996 mi²), as HuntGrid maps Iowa Department of Natural Resources's boundary.
How much public or protected land is in North Zone?
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 1,129 km² of public or protected land, 2% of the unit; the largest share is managed by DNR - Wildlife. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there.
Where are the season dates for North Zone?
This page lists 41 seasons a person has checked against Iowa Department of Natural Resources's regulations; the official regulations have the final word.
Which units are next to North Zone?
In the same unit system: Central Zone and South Zone.
More on huntgrid.net
Sources
Unit boundary: Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Licence: Iowa DNR. Boundaries for the 2026 season.
HuntGrid isn't affiliated with Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The official regulations and maps have the final word.